Seawind of Battery is the ambient, cosmic experimental project of New York-based musician Mike Horn. In 2024, Mike released his sophomore album, ‘East Coast Cosmic Dreamscaper,’ alongside his collaborator Jarrod Annis, on Charlottesville’s WarHen Records. In addition to his music, Mike also hosts the bi-monthly radio show ‘Battery Operated’ on CAMP Radio, airing on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month.
As the years pass, I tell myself I’ll be more selective about the music I buy, but somehow, the problem only grows worse. If loving music and spending a ridiculous amount of money on it is a crime, then I should be serving a life sentence.
With all the “best of” year-end lists out there, I’ve decided to focus instead on some Hidden Gems — albums that deserve more attention and are unquestionably among the best of 2024.
Many of the albums that have been widely recognized this year—like Hayden Pedigo’s Live in Amarillo, Texas, Prairiewolf’s Deep Time, Oren Ambarchi, Johan Berthling, and Andreas Werliin’s Ghosted II, Nala Sinephro’s Endlessness or any of The Modern Folk releases—have understandably made their rounds on numerous lists.
However, I wanted to share a few recommendations and dive into albums that might not have crossed your plate amidst the insane amount of great music this year. With that in mind, I’m excited to present my personal selection of hidden gems, curated down to 30 standout releases (31 if you count the two albums released by one of the artists mentioned). Enjoy the journey!
Part 1 is available here
Tryp Tych Tryo – Warsaw Conjunction [Lanquidity Records / On The Corner Records]
Warsaw Conjunction is a debut album from Tryp Tych Tryo, blending improvised jazz and spacious scenery. With dynamic interplay between bassist Wojtek Mazolewski, flautist Tamar Osborn, and drummer Natcyet Wakili, the album pulses with tension and fluidity, offering a captivating listening experience.
Northwoods Improvisers – Kuhtuhlpa [Copy This]
Kuhtuhlpa is a fascinating release that captures the raw, unfiltered energy of the Northwoods Improvisers in their final trio configuration. Recorded during a spontaneous session in 2011, the album highlights the group’s effortless, telepathic interplay, where vibraphonist Mike Gilmore, bassist Mike Johnston, and percussionist Nick Ashton explore lush textures, shifting rhythms, and intricate melodies without the constraints of preconceived structures. The music is infused with joy and freedom as the trio crafts a deep, limitless mosaic that immerses the listener in their shared creative space.
Bananagun – Why is the Colour of the Sky? [Full Time Hobby]
Bananagun’s Why Is The Colour Of The Sky? dives headfirst into a bold fusion of psych, jazz, and afrobeat, marked by a raw, spontaneous energy that feels both alive and unrefined. Recorded with minimal takes, the album captures the exhilarating chaos of musicians truly playing off one another, creating an infectious and groove-driven sound that thrives on imperfection. With its blend of deep rhythmic experimentation, celestial patterns, and nostalgic echoes, this record embodies celebratory collective creativity.
Nestings by Heron and Crane is a vibrant and balanced record that effortlessly blends pastoral psychedelia with airy synths and intricate instrumentation, offering a peaceful journey through its dreamlike landscapes. Recorded remotely across Virginia and Ohio, the album weaves together elements of ambient Americana, spacey exotica, and kosmische. While its abstract, non-vocal passages leave some space for exploration, Nestings still delivers a captivating adventure through its radiant layers and shifting sonic moods.
Alex Heigl – The Good of the Scorpion
Alex Heigl’s The Good of the Scorpion is a deep foray into solo guitar, blending drones with Americana-inspired textures. The album’s looping tape and reverb-soaked strings create a meditative, introspective atmosphere, offering a fresh take on instrumental guitar music.
Vumbi Dekula – Congo Guitar [Hive Mind]
Vumbi Dekula’s Congo Guitar radiates optimism through its masterful Congolese guitar work. The album pulses with joyful rhythms and vibrant melodic lines, weaving intricate patterns that evoke a sense of hope and energy. Subtle percussion complements the sound, enhancing the uplifting nature of the music while honoring the rich musical traditions. With its infectious sense of joy and celebration, I’d confidently call this my pick for the most optimistic record of the year.
Drew Gardner – Cygnus A [Centripetal Force]
On Cygnus A, Drew Gardner embarks on a solo exploration of the cosmos, crafting a deeply introspective soundscape that blends celestial wonder with earthy rhythms. Drawing influence from Laraaji’s ambient work—particularly Ambient 3: Day of Radiance with Brian Eno—Gardner channels a similarly serene energy, but with a more subdued, grounded quality.
Using the rhythmic pulse of the mbira, the shimmering tones of the zither, and his signature guitar work, he creates a delicate tapestry of sound that feels both vast and heartfelt. The interplay of these instruments evokes a settled excursion through the cosmos, with moments of stillness interspersed with gentle, dreamlike passages, offering a calming space to contemplate light, shadow, and the infinite.
Shelter Music – Live in a Tree [bud tapes]
Live in a Tree captures an unorthodox, open-air jam session from Olympia’s Shelter Music, recorded during an impromptu street performance at the town’s Artswalk. Blending synthesizers, horns, guitars, and everyday objects, the group crafts a fluid, spontaneous blend of music that organically interacts with its environment—traffic, chatter, and even the hum of a leaf blower become integral parts of the experience. There’s no clear structure to this performance, only a collision of sound and space, where the band’s relaxed, improvisational energy turns the mundane into something unexpectedly transcendent.
Black Brunswicker – A Moment of Clarity [Nettwerk]
Black Brunswicker has quickly become one of my favorite instrumental artists since the pandemic. A Moment of Clarity is a stunning exploration that blends the vastness of the American West with the calm, reflective qualities of Northern Europe. The EP gracefully combines ambient Americana with shoegaze-inspired tapestries, creating a setting through evolving melodies and subtle drones. Recommended once again by Petal Motel—whose earlier suggestion introduced me to Brunswicker’s unique sound—this release further deepens my admiration for his talent in crafting deeply emotional, melodic pieces that speak to the heart.
Ayal Senior’s Ora is an effortless blend of folk devotionals and expansive cosmic examinations. With the warmth of pedal steel, resonant bass, and percussion, the album’s sound swells like a slow-moving tide, each track unfurling into a tranquil yet deeply introspective journey. I’m hooked once again by Senior’s ability to turn his guitar into a radiant force, guiding listeners through beautifully unfolding soundscapes.
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